Ticket Insurance: What's Covered And What's Not?

Ticket insurance is an optional add-on offered by ticket sellers like Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats. It is not free and usually costs a small percentage of the ticket price. Ticket insurance covers the cost of the ticket if the policyholder cannot attend the event for a variety of reasons, including illness, injury, travel delays, home emergencies, and military duty. The insurance is provided by companies like Allianz Global Assistance, which offer 24-hour hotlines to assist customers with medical, legal, or travel-related emergencies. While ticket insurance can provide peace of mind, some people may consider it unnecessary, especially if the ticket price is low.

Ticket insurance covers illness, injury, travel issues, and more

Ticket insurance is not free and typically costs between 4 and 10% of the overall price of your trip. The cost can vary depending on the plan's limits and coverage options. A plan with a CFAR benefit can cost up to 40% more. Older travelers typically pay more for insurance because there is a higher likelihood of a claim being filed.

Illness or injury are common reasons for ticket insurance claims. If you or a travelling companion fall ill or are injured and are unable to attend the event, ticket insurance will cover you. Some policies also cover pre-existing medical conditions, but certain requirements must be met. For example, Allianz Global Assistance requires confirmation from a doctor that you are unable to travel. Other policies will only cover pre-existing conditions if they were diagnosed within a specified time frame before the policy purchase date. Normal pregnancy is typically not covered by ticket insurance, although finding out you are pregnant after purchasing the policy may be a valid reason for cancellation.

Ticket insurance can also cover travel issues that prevent you from attending an event. This includes airline delays, traffic accidents, and mechanical breakdowns. If your plane or other carrier experiences a delay that causes you to miss the event, ticket insurance will reimburse you. Additionally, if your car breaks down within 48 hours of the event, you can claim this on your insurance.

Ticket insurance may also cover a range of other issues, including home or business problems, care for a family member, employer termination, jury duty, work relocation, military duty, and death. It's important to carefully read the terms, conditions, and exclusions of your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

Ticket insurance is offered by Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats

Ticketmaster's event ticket insurance covers customers who cannot attend an event due to covered illnesses, airline delays, traffic accidents, and more. It also includes access to the Allianz Global Assistance 24-hour assistance hotline, which can help with medical, legal, or travel-related emergencies. Customers can select "Yes" during checkout to add this insurance to their purchase. Ticketmaster also offers refunds for ticket insurance if the event is rescheduled or cancelled.

Vivid Seats also offers Allianz Ticket Protection, which reimburses 100% of the purchase price if customers cannot attend due to covered illnesses, injuries, traffic accidents, and other emergencies. Allianz Global Assistance has a 95% customer satisfaction rating and is known for its fast and friendly service.

It is important to note that the benefits, limits, and exclusions of ticket insurance may vary by plan and state of residence. Customers should carefully review the terms and conditions before purchasing ticket insurance. While ticket insurance can provide peace of mind, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the claims process and the lack of refunds offered by Ticketmaster.

Ticket insurance is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company and Jefferson Insurance Company

Ticket insurance is not free. It is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company and Jefferson Insurance Company, depending on the insured's state of residence. BCS Insurance Group is comprised of two for-profit, multiple-line insurance companies with diverse capabilities. They are BCS Insurance Company (BCSI) and 4 Ever Life Insurance Company. These two companies, along with their parent BCS Financial Corporation, are based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. BCSI is a multiple-line property and casualty insurance company that offers a range of insurance and employee benefits, professional liability, and commercial products.

Jefferson Insurance Company, on the other hand, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGA Inc. and is based in Richmond, Virginia. Both companies are rated highly by A.M. Best Co., with BCS Insurance Company rated "A" (Excellent) and Jefferson Insurance Company rated "A+" (Superior).

Ticket insurance provides reimbursement for 100% of the ticket price, including taxes and shipping charges, if the policyholder is unable to attend an event due to a covered reason. Covered reasons can include illness or injury, traffic accidents, mechanical breakdown, carrier delay, home or business issues, care for a family member, employer termination, jury duty, work relocation, military duty, or death.

Ticket insurance is available from companies such as Ticketmaster and LiveNation, which offer plans underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance. This includes access to a 24-hour assistance hotline with multilingual staff who can help with medical, legal, or travel-related emergencies.

Ticket insurance is available to US residents only

Ticket insurance is a type of trip insurance that covers event tickets. It is intended to provide peace of mind in the case of unexpected events that may cause you to miss an event. This can include reimbursement for 100% of the ticket price, including taxes and shipping charges, if you are unable to attend due to a covered reason such as illness, injury, travel delays, or accidents. Some companies that offer ticket insurance include Allianz Global Assistance, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster.

Ticket insurance is typically available to US residents only. For example, Allianz Trip Insurance, offered by American Airlines, is intended for US residents only and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Similarly, Live Nation's Allianz Global Assistance Event Ticket Protector Insurance is available for US residents, as indicated by its US-based contact numbers and addresses. Ticketmaster's Event Ticket Insurance, which includes access to Allianz Global Assistance's 24-hour assistance hotline, also appears to be US-based, given the US contact number provided.

There are, however, options for non-US residents seeking trip insurance. Travel insurance plans for non-US residents are available from companies like Travel Guard and American Visitor Insurance. These plans can cover trip cancellation, interruption, delay, and more, and are designed to reduce worries while travelling internationally.

It is important to review the terms and conditions of any insurance plan before purchasing, as coverage may vary and may not be available in all jurisdictions or for all events. Additionally, some plans may have specific requirements, such as a minimum purchase duration.

Ticket insurance may not be worth the extra cost

Ticket insurance often has specific exclusions and limitations that may make it less valuable. It is essential to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what is included and excluded from the coverage. The claim process for ticket insurance can also be cumbersome, requiring documentation, paperwork, and adherence to specific procedures. These factors can make the policy less attractive as an investment.

The coverage provided by ticket insurance can be narrow and limited to certain unforeseen circumstances. It may cover trip cancellations due to unexpected events such as illness, injury, or the death of a family member, but it is important to note that "illness" and "injury" are often specifically defined in the policy. Other exclusions may include circumstances beyond your control, such as the event being cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control or even nuclear war.

While ticket insurance can offer some protection for expensive events, free cancellation and modifiable tickets often provide sufficient coverage without incurring additional costs. By choosing refundable fares, utilizing travel credit card benefits, and considering trip cancellation waivers, individuals can protect their purchases without the need for ticket insurance. Therefore, it is essential to weigh the potential benefits against the cost of the insurance and explore alternative options before deciding whether ticket insurance is worth the extra cost.

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